The first real window tint was invented in 1966. ​Window tint film started out as "dye based" which didn't have good control of the heat within the car interior allowing the car temperature to quickly rise and didn't respond well to the sun's heat, creating bubbles and easily pealing off of the car window.

When did window tint become popular?

Car Window Tinting in the 1970s

But it wasn't until the late 1970s that tinted car windows became the top choice for privacy—limousines all over the U.S. started utilizing dark tints, some with shading of 80% or more.

When were tinted windows for cars invented?

The first window tints were seen on a few car models like the '56 Chevrolet Impala. A small DIY company started to emerge in the 1960s because window tints at that time are only available from auto manufacturers.